And she’s gone. Into her car and out of sight.
Celie turns to Daddy. “You haven’t changed at all, have you? God bless your son, Daddy. I’m leaving.”
She says goodbye to Cam and me and jumps into her car.
And now it’s down to three.
Appropriately, we’re still standing in the dark, frigid night air of Climax, Minnesota. Me, my father, and my boyfriend.
“This is not how I thought this would go,” Daddy says with a frown.
“How did you think it would go?” Cam asks him.
“I wanted to ask my favorite daughter if she’d move out to Colorado and work for me again.” Daddy practically pouts as he says it.
I feel the bottom drop out below me. My father doesn’t ask for things without a good reason, a reason that will benefit him.
“You want that?” I say in disbelief.
“Sure. But you seem busy.” He gives Cam a hard stare. “You know the team handbook says no fraternizing between employees. I don’t like Craig and I have no loyalty to the Cannons anymore, but I advise you two to think about your futures before you keep this romance going.”
“You want me to move out to Colorado now?” I ask him again.
Daddy’s gaze shifts away from me, and I know I’m not going to learn the real reason. Not yet. “It feels right! It could be an opportunity for us to try again, Vannah! We never won together, you know.”
I flinch, remembering how things ended.
“I would never even consider working for the Caves when that man is still on the team.”
Daddy’s face contorts with discomfort. “Watts is leaving after this season.”
So he and Watts are finished for some reason. Probably because Watts isn’t in his prime anymore. And my father needs a new star. Someone who can make sure he stays on top. Someone like…
Cam.
Fuck. He wants Cam. And he’s willing to use his daughter to get him. He just wants what he wants. And right now, that’s Cameron Wild.
But why does he think I can help him get Cam? Did my father know Cam and I were dating before he saw us together? No. It’s not possible. I can’t quite get his angle. But I will.
“Tell me more,” I say, hoping to stall him.
“Think about it, Savannah McMann.” Daddy always skips my middle name. It reminds him too much of my mother who chose it for me. “You could have the spare room downstairs. Colorado’s beautiful. Much better than this crap here.” He gestures around as if the Cannons parking lot can sum up the whole of Minnesota.
He reaches into his pocket and puts a business card into my hand. “I’m missing you, baby. I miss our laughs and our talks and your beautiful smile. You always did have a beautiful smile. Doesn’t she?” he says to Cam.
“Of course she does.” Cam rubs my back. “All of her is beautiful.”
Daddy looks at him for a long moment and then turns to me. “So tell me, Savannah.” He gives me all of his attention for the first time tonight. “Can we talk somewhere warm? Coffee’s my treat.”
Inwardly, I roll my eyes, knowing that this is his game. But I’m here to let go of the past.
And I need to figure out what he wants before he turns the tables on me. Again.
So I tell him yes.
My father beams and turns to Cam. “What are your plans for the future?” he asks him in far too casual of a tone.
“Keep winning,” Cam says in a clipped voice.
